Saba News News and Information from Saba Island, Dutch Caribbean
“Transparency and accountability are essential for good public governance and for the trust between society and the government. That is also the reason rules have been agreed upon regarding the disclosure of government decisions, including decisions made by the executive councils of the Public Bodies Bonaire, Saba, and Sint-Eustatius. These rules are, among others, stipulated in the WolBES and the Bekendmakingswet (Publication Law),” writes Helmond in his letter.
Helmond also indicates that during the recent VNG (Association of Netherlands Municipalities) congress, he was approached by several council members expressing their concerns about the difficult and limited flow of information from the executive council to the island council.
Furthermore, Helmond notes that it is not only important to inform the respective island councils but also the citizens. “In addition to providing information to the island council, it is crucial that residents, businesses, and organizations on the islands can transparently access the decisions made by the executive council.”
Action Plan
While diplomatically phrased, Helmond demands that both executive councils come up with an action plan to improve the situation. “Given the importance of a prompt implementation, I kindly request you to share the action plan with me before October 1, 2023. I realize that this involves specialized matters. If I can assist you in this process by providing knowledge or capacity, I am more than willing to discuss this with you.”
My praises go out to Deputy State Representative Jan Helmond for addressing the Need for transparency on the BES islands Saba and Statia. He is a valuable distinguished individual who truly stands up for Democracy, the Constitution of the Dutch Kindom and the People.
I am in favor that the Dutch Government fully takes over and Govern all the BES islands and Remove Commissioners and Governors……..The People will be much better off……
“The very word “secrecy” is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and to secret proceedings. We decided long ago that the dangers of excessive and unwarranted concealment of pertinent facts far outweighed the dangers which are cited to justify it.”
John F. Kennedy
Cristiah Hassell Feliciano
I Raymond C. Peterson herby endorse and compliment your comment fully, there are certain laws that are being bent, even broken to the benefit of certain individuals, and
Detriment of others. Because of certain people who seem to rule and judge based on their personal interests and emotions! It is high time that these matters be investigated, there are people who are abusing the trust and oath that they swore to uphold and carry out laws in relation to Trias Patria, being such a small island these individuals take advantage and abuse the power given onto them. I sincerely hope they make checks and balances across the board,, that all inhabitants are brought up to date, treated and respected equally! I’m not stepping on anyone’s toes, but these are comments that has been circulating for a long time already, I’m happy to see that some action will be forthcoming! Thank you.
Distinguished Raymond Peterson could not have been more transparent and Democratic on his concern but unfortunately the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations did not serve Democracy in reappointing Jonathan Johnson as Governor for a third consecutive Term and neither did the Board of the WIPM Party and the island Council of Saba serve Democracy by abilitating Bruce Zagers for also a third Consecutive Term as commissioner. Sadly these two Men Bruce and Jonathan were given a free pass to become Autocrats on Saba, hinding behind the titles of Governor and Commissioner. Autocracy is a system of government in which absolute power is held by the ruler, known as an autocrat. It includes most forms of monarchy and dictatorship, on the island of Saba there are two Autocrats Jonathan Johnson and Bruce Zagers members of the Exective Council of Saba, due to their long Tenure in Government 15 years, 3 consecutive terms for the Govenor and Commissioner I have never heard of this in Saba’s history. Those two forementioned Autocrats if they have a common sense of Decency and good will towards the wonderful people living on Saba: since they are being called out as Dictators by the Opposition would choose to resign to show that they do respect Democracy!
Democratic Values are being trampled over on the island of Saba BES and the Face of Democracy of the Netherlands the Second Chamber need to step in to correct this wrong! To fight against Autocracy on Saba and in the Dutch Kingdom islands and prevent Dictators to contunue to hold Government offices. The Ministrty of the Interior and Kindgom Relations need to do a better job and begin to uphold Democrat Values and Principles in electing a Governor through open Elections and not allow Governors and Commissioners s to become Autocrats and Dictators, I think this is the very serving purpose of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations of the Mother Country the Netherlands. The Second Chamber needs to condemn this Autrocity and Remove Bruce Zagers and Jonathan Johnson from office immediately due to the urgencey of now and Elections need to be held on all the Dutch Kingom islands for Governor. The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations need to uphold and enforce Democratic Ideals on All the respective Dutch islands.
The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all. John F. Kennedy
JFK quote on democracy
Democracy is never a final achievement. It is a call to an untiring effort. Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put up a wall to keep our people in. There is an old saying that the course of civilization is a race between catastrophe and education.
“You can’t maintain power through coercion. At some level in any society, there has to be consent,” he said, adding, “That’s particularly true in this new era where people can communicate not just through some centralized government or state run TV, but they can get on a smartphone or a Twitter account and mobilize hundreds of thousands of people.”
Barack Obama
This is My island Saba, I was born here and I will do anything I can to change it!
Honorable Junior Minister of the Netherlands Antilles Max Nicholson
Cristian Hassell Feliciano